We would like to thank all those members who turned up on Sat and Sunday to help out build the bike park and marshal and help out at the Duathlon – without their help the race would not take place, so when you see those at training etc that helped out on Sunday, be sure to thank them. A big thanks once again to Willie Carey for compiling all the results!

The weather forecast on Friday and Saturday turned many off the race on Sunday but not the brave 33 that turned up from all parts of the country to race. From 9.30am the athletes trickled into the bike park and set up for the race while the rain trickled down our backs! The race got off on time and the field all put in good times on the first run. Mark Dempsey had a good lead coming into T1 with Keith Heary (Carlow Tri), Mark Dowling, Kevin Moloney and Dave Beary hot on his heels. In the ladies event Liz Hussey, Ailbhe Healy and Orla Power were all in contention after the first run. There were some fierce battles brewing in the rest of the field, most notably the battle between Marie Casey-Breen from Carrick and Catherine Corby (LTC) who were neck and neck all day!

After a very unfortunate puncture in T1 Mark Dowling (Pulse Dublin) was forced to retire – but we hope to see some of Marks winning from of this year again in Limerick at the next race. Mark was just back from a training camp in Lanzarote with fellow Irish Triathletes Colm Cassidy (LTC Duathlon record holder 47.28) , Darren Hughes and Colm Bolger – all these young athletes will be the ones to keep an eye on this year. Mark Dempsey came back in off the bike in a great time and well up on his time from last year and was comfortably in front but with Keith Heary not far behind. Dave Beary came running with his bike up the hill after picking up a puncture on the homeward hill just before the gate. Kevin Moloney who is still recovering from a broken ankle last year was in flying form and giving Dave Beary a run for his money was out of T2 both still in contention for third. Liz Husssey and Ailbhe Healy came in almost neck and neck and we out of T2 very close together with it all to run for in the last 3.8km run.

The Casey-Breen V Corby Battle was the closest of the day with only 2 seconds between the 2 out of T2.

Mark Dempsey stretched out a further lead on Keith Heary and rest of the pack and ran home comfortably in 48.45…….Keith was second with Dave Beary having a strong run and taking third ahead of Kevin Moloney. In the ladies, Liz Hussey (LTC) pulled away from Ailbhe on the run and came home in a great time. Maire Casey Breen dug deep and pipped Catherine on the last run, but I think see has set the seed for some mighty battles over the summer with Catherine!

In the Junior section Graham Butler (Son of Liam Bulter) was racing in his first ever event and finished very well taking the junior prize of the day.

After the race was over it was back out of the wet weather and to the warmth of St Enda’s for warm tea, biscuits, cake, race results analysis and the obligatory Sambo’s!

Despite the weather and smaller than usual numbers it was a great race and a great start to the year. We hope to see more of our 100 members out in force at the next Duathlon race in the 25^th of March, so dust off the bike and get ready for another great LTC race!